The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-27
A NOVELIST'S ERRORS,

When Mr.. W. d. Howells turns his literary
microscope on the personages who are to fig
ure in his novels and confines himself to
study of their habits and outward Characters
tics, he is able to produce strikingly realistic
picture. The features to which he gives most
attention are not, it is true those that would
be regarded by ordinary acquaintance of the
individual described as his distinguishing
peculiarities; but this may be because the or
binary acquaintance carries no microscope.
The unobservant friend of Silas Lapham
would, for instance. probably be more strong
ly impressed with that unconventional gentle
mans great energy and transparent simplicity
Of character than with his ignorance of visit
ing-card etiquette and unfamiliarity with
social usages as to gloves, fnger-bowls, etc.
Having had his attention directed to these
points in the Howells likeness, however, the
friend would be quick to recognize the por-
trait and applaud its minute accuracy. In
photography, Mr.. Howells is unrivaled; it is
when he leaves that field and undertakes men
tai dissection that he founders. This he has
done time and again. Ina Modern Instance
he falls ridiculously short of correct analysis of
the feminine mind in ascribing remorse and
mental anguish to young woman, who, while
engaged to another man, went to picnic, and
there smiled SO sweetly upon an English
lord that he fell hopelessly in love
with her and had finally to be sent
home broken hearted. The modern
woman, there is reason to believe. is far from
being so conscientious that she suffers re-
morse when an admirer chooses to misplace
his affections merely because she prefers to be
agreeable rather than the reverse. The lack
of good sense and sound Judgment displayed
by that eminently sensible family, the Lap
hams, when both girls fell in love with the
same man, and but one could be chosen, is
another case in point.
Another instance is found in his story now
running in Harper. A half-dozen ladies as
sembled on the piazza of summer hotel have
ton in social and moral philosophy. Says
Mr.. Howells:
''They all stopped talking and looked at
John Munt, who was coming toward them,
and each felt longing to lay the matter be-
fore him. There was probably not woman
among them but had felt more, read more and
thought more than John Munt; but he was a
man, and the mind Of man is the court of
final appeal for the wisest woman. Till some
man has pronounced upon their wisdom they
do not know whether it is wisdom or not. f"
The ''wisest woman" will perhaps be ready to
acknowledge a dependence on masculine
opinions, but she discrimnates, and wants
the opinions Of "a man." and not of men in
general without regard to their qualifications
as advisers or courts Of appeal; the most de-
pendent and vine-like of women will
repudiate with scornful smile the
charge that the decision of any
man, because he is man. is of
Importance to her. The serenity with which
the meekest of her sex disregards the advice
when it conflicts with her own opinions
of any man other than the favored one, to
whom she pins her faith, even though she
has beguiled him into the utterance of it,
should have caught the attention Of so close